Bigger isn’t always better and

micro churches prove this.

Many are asking what is a micro church? The concept of a micro church can go by different labels. Other names that might be a bit more familiar include simple church or organic church. Some micro churches are house churches, but not all. Here are a few characteristics to describe a micro church:

The Structures are Streamlined

Micro churches have only a minimal amount of structure and just enough to allow them to function. The organization, like Communities of the Heart, is flat as opposed to hierarchical – everyone participates.

No Paid Staff

At micro churches people minister to one another and serve as priest to each other, as we find described in the New Testament. They don’t have a need for paid clergy or to maintain anyone on a payroll.

Priesthood of Believers

Since micro churches have no paid staff, they have no clergy. This isn’t a problem since we embrace the priesthood of all believers. This means that the people in the community minister to one another, teach one another and help one another.

Deemphasized Sunday Service

The micro church doesn’t place as much emphasis on Sunday morning service as traditional churches do. In fact, they may not meet on Sunday or even once a week. Their gatherings may not even resemble a church service.

Missional

The micro church has a vision to serve. They have a mission. This makes them missional. Their mission is not inwardly focused but outwardly focused.

Their internal gatherings, be it like a Sunday service or something else, are to encourage and prepare the people present to go out into their community and serve. Therefore, many micro churches have at its core one particular vision, a mission, around which people gather.

Focused on Multiplication

The micro church isn’t concerned with growing its numbers, but it’s vitally interested in growing influence. Micro churches seek to do this by helping others start their own micro churches to address other needs in the community.

Their simple structure makes this easy and fast. This is why they view themselves as organic. They are constantly growing, changing and reproducing more of their kind.

If you feel that something is missing from your church experience, or if you’re looking to learn ways to fellowship with like-minded believers in a micro church setting – check our Free Book offer entitled Jesus’s Broken Church by Author Peter DeHaan, PhD and sign up to join us at Communities of the Heart if you are in the Cheyenne, Wyoming area.